The haunted shadow that plagued my mind remained that night and the next morning. But slowly, the sunlight crept in. He was just a guy. Someone who was just here to work, then he would go back home, wherever that was. And I would be left here, with my task. But that didn't stop me from wavering over three outfit choices.

I had told him when and where to pick me up.

He had just sent me a confirmation that he would be there.

I had no idea if I would be responsible for providing an activity or if he had something planned out. And if he did, I had no way of knowing what it was, therefore what would be appropriate. A pair of leggings might be too casual. A pair of jeans too stiff. An older sweatshirt would show that I was low maintenance, that I didn't particularly care about what he had planned, or that I wouldn't start a fuss. That's what I should have been.

With only a few minutes to spare, I settled on my black ripped jeans and a top that was somewhere between a blouse and a shirt, the fabric soft to the touch and expensive, but the fit more casual. I cringed when I pulled my wand from the mascara tube and only black flakes fell out. I would have to settle without any makeup. But when was the last time I had swiped on shimmering lip gloss or used the foundations that my mother approved? Come to think of it, when was the last time I dedicated an hour or two to cleaning my home?

Thankfully, I didn't have time for the pit in my stomach to grow large enough to swallow me. I grabbed the little purse I seldom used and stuffed my feet into cognac-coloured boots. I headed towards the meeting place I had sent Ryder.

The normal nerves of a first date – or whatever this was – crept in. maybe I would get stood up. Maybe, once it was just me and him, he would say something that would sour the excitement bubbling through me. Even dealing with werewolves on the daily didn't make human men feel terribly safe. Which was why I picked the public park as our pick up location.

But, something in me knew that I wouldn't be left sitting at a table in a chain restaurant, wishing I was anywhere else. I would be returning home tonight sighing dreamily, feeling devastated that he was just here on work, that his home was elsewhere.

All thoughts of what could happen, what would happen, faded as a blue sedan pulled up to the curb and I saw Ryder in the driver seat. Warmth flooded my cheeks instantly, though there was no reason for it. And there was even less reason for the excitement bubbling in my belly when the window lowered and he wrapped an arm around the passenger seat, leaning towards me.

"Sam and or Rosemary," he greeted. "Hop in."

I felt his confidence wash over me and climbed in without a second thought. I sank into the cloth seats, unable to meet his eyes, but still so aware that his arm was wrapped around the back of my seat, that he was leaning towards me ever so slightly. In the back of my mind, I could hear my dad assessing the car. Honda, good, sensible. At the forefront, my brain was telling me how good he smelled and how close his body was to mine.

"How are you doing?" Ryder asked, his voice as soothing as a summer's wind.

"Good, good," I blurted, tucking a strand of rogue hair behind my ear.

"You said that yesterday was not that great of a day. I don't want to pry, but if you want to talk—"

Talk about my assignment that seemed almost suicidal at this point. Talk about werewolves destroying the mind of fragile humans. "No need. Just work stress, life stress, the usual," I said, forcing a smile. "But I'm really glad that you're here."

The silver in Ryder's eyes swirled with something I couldn't read. He pulled away a moment later, shoulder checking as he pulled into traffic.

"Do you have a plan for our time together?" I asked.

"I always have a plan." There was an easy way about him, an aura that made it okay that he was driving and I didn't know where we were going. "How do you feel about kittens?"

"How does anyone feel about kittens? I love them, why?"

"I signed us up for a session at a local shelter. We have an hour to cuddle as many kittens as you can handle. It helps socialize them and, hopefully, it'll give you a little bit of serotonin."

I just nodded along. Did he know that one smile from him would probably fire thousands of happy hormones into my mind? I forced my gaze away from him, away from that sharp jawline and those strong hands wrapped around the steering wheel. He shouldn't have this effect on me. I knew that. But I couldn't find it in me to be concerned about it.

We arrived at the little animal shelter on the outskirts of town in a matter of minutes and signed in for our session. I had no right, but when I saw the receptionist – a pretty girl barely more than eighteen – run her eyes over Ryder, I felt my hackles raise. But he wasn't mine. And this, whatever this was, did not give me the right to become a jealous witch. I was here to cuddle kittens, that was all.

So, I went to the designated room and picked the first kitten I saw, a chunky orange baby who mewed at every touch. And, I specifically picked a seat that would force some distance between Ryder and I. because there was something about him, something that made me feel like the world was all rainbows and butterflies and not the stormcloud hurricane that it was.

Ryder found himself a convenient spot across from me, propping his elbows on his knees and his chin in his palms as he studied me. "Do you have any pets at home?"

"No, I would like to, but I don't have time for them," I said, rubbing the kitten's chin. Its little eyes were starting to close already, sleep taking over.

"Do you just work at the coffee shop or are you in school? Do you have another job?" he pressed.

My education had seemed useless after what happened to my parents. All that time spent in a chair, listening to instructors and professors drone on, and I didn't know how to handle grief, loss, or even know the real threats to humanity.

"No, just the coffee shop." I raked my eyes over him, taking in his large body, the sureness that commanded attention, the casual way he smiled when I met his gaze. "And you? Just working at your protection gig?"

"It does take up the majority of my time," he admitted, shrugging one of his broad shoulders.

"How did you get into it? Is there like body guard school?"

At that, he quirked an eyebrow, his grin growing. "I'm not a body guard. I don't go around monitoring pretty princess or celebrities with more money than they know what to do with. I work with smaller...communities, communities that have experienced some kind of violence or trauma and just want to go back to feeling safe and at home."

"But this town is so quiet. Nothing bad ever happens here. And if it did, we would surely all know about it. Secrets don't last long here."

"You'd be surprised," he said simply.

The question I dreaded slithered past my lips. "So where is home for you?"

He shifted back then, moving slowly so that I could watch the muscles in his biceps move, the expanse of his chest open up, the cocky way he lifted his chin as if he had been waiting for me to ask the question. "You worried I'm going to leave?" he poked.

I could have admitted that he was right. I could have softened into his teasing and watched his reaction. Surely, he would have faltered. There had to be a limit to the casual way he taunted me, like he knew he could string me along. But I lifted my chin to match him, narrowing my eyes. "It's a small town, but not so small that you are the only man in it."

"Alright, alright." He nodded along, seeming unbothered by my rigidity. "I mean, I travel a lot for work. I don't really have a home base."

"Where is your family?"

It was so slight that I wasn't even sure how I caught it, but one of his hands jerked, as if he were about to curl it into a fist. Then he pressed his palm flat to his knee and it was like nothing had ever happened. "I don't really have much of a family. It was the reason I got into my line of work. Once my parents passed away, I felt like I needed to leave. Since then, I've been moving around. I go where I'm needed and a hotel room is my home for that week or month."

I should have known. I should have known better than to ask about family because of what had happened to my own. And now I had just pressured this poor man, a man I barely knew, into telling me something so revealing. And, Christ, it was so lonely. So damn lonely to hear that.

"I'm so sorry."

"It's alright," he assured, that easy grin returning. "At least I'm better company than that." Using his chin, he gestured to the snoozing puff ball.

"I don't know, I'm pretty impressed with this little guy."

"You going to take him home with you?"

I wanted to. Lord knows I could use a little companion who greeted me at the door. If I had a friend who howled when hungry, I might've had the good sense to make sure I was feeding myself too. But I couldn't adopt a pet for selfish reasons. They had a soul that needed love and attention beyond what I could provide right now. How was I supposed to explain that I needed to spend my days chatting with parents who didn't recognize me to something that didn't know words beyond their own name?

"No, I don't think so." As I spoke, a bow-legged senior cat sauntered out of its slumbering spot and dawdled right up to Ryder, rubbing its chin on his pant leg. His whole body recoiled as the creature gracefully leapt up and deposited itself right into his lap. "Not a cat person?"

"Uh, not particularly."

"A dog person then?"

"Honestly, not really," he admitted.

"This seems like an odd outing for someone who isn't fond of any of the animals they volunteered to handle."

"Right." He warily lifted a hand and patted the old cat's head like someone ruffling the hair of a child they didn't like. "But, this outing wasn't really about me."

A giddy feeling rushed through my veins and I decided right then and there that I would like it very much if Ryder happened to stay in my little mountain town a while longer.

~~~Question of the Day~~~

What is your favorite fast food chain?

I love A&W